Address by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children

Programme Directors – Minister Lindiwe Zulu and MEC Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, 
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities - Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 
Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities - Ms. Nokuzola Tolashe,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present,
Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality – Advocate Sepanya-Mogale,
Premier of Mpumalanga – Ms. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane,
Mayors of Mpumalanga present,
Councillors, 
Members of the Media, 

Good Afternoon, Sanibonani, Lotjhani!

Let me begin by thanking the Minister and Deputy Minister of the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities for organising this event and also for their tireless commitment to the protection of women & girls and gender equality more broadly. It is through your activism and those of many present here that we can, as a country, say that the democratic government has prioritised women’s gains. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

For the past 32 years, the 25th of November has been marked as the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, with Violence against Women and Children (VAWC) being a central focus. 

As South Africa, we have participated in this campaign for 25 years. It is important that we, at this stage, emphasise that this period is not merely ceremonious for us. As a government and as a nation, we remain committed to ending the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide. We will not rest until our communities are safe for all, especially women and girls. 

To mark this important anniversary, the 2023 Campaign under the theme "Accelerating actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: leaving no one behind" is aimed to achieve the following:

1. Highlight Gender-Based Violence as a pervasive human rights violation;
2. Intensify awareness raising and advocacy; and
3. Champion the prevention efforts to eliminate the scourge by implementing social behaviour change initiatives.

We aim to raise awareness about the devastating impact that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has on women and children and the social fabric of our society.

This is also an opportunity for all of us to renew our commitment to reclaiming our streets and creating a society where women and children are safe and secure. 

Understanding the interconnectedness of the socio-economic issues in South Africa, this 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign seeks to interface the issues pertaining to "Safe access to clean water for women: a basic human right" as championed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

This sub-theme underscores the link between water and violence against women and children, emphasising the need for immediate action to ensure safe access to clean water, a fundamental human right, especially for women who are mainly responsible for domestic work and managing households.

Furthermore, the socio-economic status of women makes them vulnerable to sexual exploitation when people in positions of power seek to extract sexual favours in return for water.

It is because of the scourge of GBVF that manifests itself in these ways that water management and service investment are crucial for poverty eradication, long-term economic development, and reducing GBVF susceptibility.

I am happy to have had the opportunity to visit some of the places that show how water resources can be used to empower women. I also want to take this opportunity to encourage the Minister and the Department of Water and Sanitation to continue to make clean water accessible to rural areas. As a government, we must ensure that all enjoy this basic human right.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Gender-Based Violence and Femicide occurrences are not isolated incidents. They are systemic issues deeply rooted in patriarchal norms and gender inequality. It is important to acknowledge that GBV is a global phenomenon rooted in the fabric of every society, every culture, and every community, regardless of class, race, or socio-economic status.

On the 19th of November, on International Men’s Day, we launched the Takuwani Riime Programme of Action for 2023 – 2025 in Limpopo. This programme encourages men to take a position to address the many gender-related issues plaguing modern society. 

This Programme acknowledges that eliminating GBVF will require rejecting all forms of violence, no matter how ingrained in custom or how widely accepted they may be. To contribute to the work of addressing GBV, the programme led by the National Men’s Parliament has declared Wednesday as a day when men in all wards come together to discuss and learn about their role in combatting GBVF. It is encouraging to see men keen to learn and unlearn certain beliefs and practices towards ending this scourge. 

We are committing as society, as men and government, because as of the 2022/2023 fiscal year, almost 53,900 South Africans reported being a victim of a sexual crime. 

With 4,726 rape incidents reported to have taken place at either the home of the rape victim or the home of the perpetrator, which is known to the victim, such as a family member, a friend, or a neighbour.

It is also disheartening to note that 293 innocent children have also tragically lost their lives, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. It is mortifying to mention that during the same period, a total of 361 incidents of attempted murder and 1,820 cases of assault causing grievous bodily harm were tragically inflicted upon innocent children.
We must put an end to this! 

This we must do because, as a society, we bear equal responsibility to the perpetrators if we remain ignorant of the infringement of women's freedom by male acquaintances, relatives, and colleagues, as well as those who exploit young women sexually and gloat about sleeping with young girls. 

We must report and condemn the perpetrators who reside within our communities.  Those who violate the rights of women and children should never be granted forgiveness without the application of appropriate punishment.

People of South Africa,

Since the dawn of democracy, this government has consistently shown commitment to addressing GBV by implementing legislative, policy, and other measures to advance equality and empowerment for women, children, and people living with disabilities. 

For example, recently, we passed six pieces of legislation related to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, and the ongoing implementation costing exercise underscores our commitment to ending GBVF. 

One significant milestone is the recent assent of President Cyril Ramaphosa to crucial legislative reforms, which are;
  
• the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill;
• the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, and 
• the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill

This month marks a historic milestone with the passing of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill by the National Assembly. The establishment of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, underpinned by this robust legislative framework, is an urgent and critical task.

In addition, we have established and capacitated the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) at provincial and local levels to end the pandemic.

This includes the development of the Comprehensive National Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Prevention and the Integrated Femicide Strategic Frameworks, which signal a holistic approach to turning the Gender-Based Violence tide. 

The National School of Government's (NSG) effort to impart knowledge through a dedicated online course covering gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive planning and budgeting exemplifies our commitment to mainstreaming women's and girls’ priorities. 

The existence of the Intersectional Shelter Policy, the Psycho-Social Support Services (PSSS) Policy, and the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, which is a 24-hour helpline, demonstrates our resolve to provide essential services and support to survivors.

Provinces are identifying and refurbishing underutilised buildings for shelters and interim housing. The Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) are being expanded, with three new centres established. 

Our initiatives primarily focus on bolstering women’s economic empowerment across diverse sectors.

Fellow South Africans,

We would further like to express our appreciation for the efforts by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combatting GBV and Femicide.  

The recent identification and takedown of 27 sexual predators in the country and the recent sentencing of Mario Giusti to 6,400 years in jail after being found guilty of more than 1,000 charges of child pornography is a step in the right direction.

Witnessing such law enforcement actions is encouraging, and we hope to observe further arrests of this nature in the future.
 
As government, communities, and civil society, we need to do something about the widespread prejudice against homosexuals and the apathy that allows the victims to be "invisible" and denied basic human rights.
  
Moreover, we must understand that sexual violence is not only about sexism. A woman can perpetrate against a man, a man can perpetrate against a woman, and it can happen between same-sex couples as well.

Today, we must recommit ourselves to ending violence against women and children. We have the ability to shape a future in which women and children are safe and their rights are respected. 

I urge men in our communities, to be role models to young boys. Remember, Boys are Born, and Men are Made. As men, we can help develop men in our society who respect women. 

Men who do not see women as objects. 

Men who recognise the equality of women. 

I also urge traditional leaders to intensify their role as community leaders against unfair inheritance practices and GBVF. 

As custodians of our culture, customs, and origin, you must say NO to cultural practices that are harmful to women and children, such as ukuthwala, child muthi killings, witchcraft burning, and many other practices.

Let us join together, leaving no one behind as a community to accelerate actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

Thank you.